Rare 19th Century Mayo Tobacco Cardboard Advertising Signs

P. H. Mayo & Brother, Incorporated, Tobacco Manufacturers,
Richmond, Virginia, was one of the most well known and successful
tobacco companies of the 19th and 20th centuries. The familiar
image of the blue plug tag appears on the lower left of the advertising
signs. The image of a beautiful woman/actress on these pieces
replicates the images found on many series of Mayo tobacco cards.
The inclusion of a card in a pack of cigarettes or tobacco represents
one of the earliest forms of marketing used in this country. A
customer, seeing these signs in a tobacconists' or a general store,
would immediately associate the company name with the image. These
very rare and generously proportioned signs measure 14" wide
x 19.75" high. At the top they read "Mayo's Tobacco
is Always Good - Use Eglantine and Ivy" and there is a grommet
for hanging. The edges are rimmed in gold. They have condition
problems but remain a real find for the tobacciana collector.

Blond woman in blue tulle dress. Lower left corner missing,
stain on lower left and left margin. Water spots on top margin.
Light staining. (Stock number 003Mayo1) $500.00

Brunette in pink feathered dress. Upper right corner missing.
Edges are water spotted and stained. (Stock number 003Mayo2) $500.00